Edgerrin James
Hall of Fame running back who led the Colts to glory and helped the Cardinals reach their first Super Bowl.
Edgerrin Tyree James (born August 1, 1978) is an American former professional football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons, primarily with the Indianapolis Colts. He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes, receiving first-team All-Big East honors in 1998 and becoming the first player in school history to rush for more than 1,000 yards in consecutive seasons. James was selected fourth overall by the Colts in the 1999 NFL draft.
In his first season, James led the league in rushing yards, earning him AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. James went on to lead the league in rushing yards a second time while receiving four Pro Bowl and one first-team All-Pro selection. Following seven seasons in Indianapolis, James spent his next three years with the Arizona Cardinals and was a member of the team that made the franchise Super Bowl debut in Super Bowl XLIII. In his final season, he was a member of the Seattle Seahawks.
Obtaining over 10,000 yards during his career, James ranks 11th in all-time rushing at the time of his retirement and Hall of Fame induction. He was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021.
Quick Facts
- Position
- Running back
- Born
- 1 August 1978
- Birthplace
- Immokalee, Florida, U.S.
- High school
- Immokalee
- College
- Miami (FL) (1996–1998)
- Draft year
- 1999
- Draft round
- 1
- Draft pick
- 4
Lore & Background
James signed a four-year, $30 million deal with the Arizona Cardinals on March 23, 2006. With the retirement of Corey Dillon, James became the active leader in career rushing yards at the start of 2007, and remained so through his last game in November 2009 (though he would be passed by LaDainian Tomlinson by the end of the season). James went through a stretch of 10 games out of the 2008 season where he carried the ball only 58 times. Through this time, Ken Whisenhunt used him primarily in pass protection, though he was not exclusively limited to that role.
In week 17 against the Seattle Seahawks, James carried the ball 14 times for 100 yards. James said he would not come back to Arizona following the 2009 NFL playoffs, despite a year left on his contract. In the Cardinals' first playoff game since 1998, James averaged 3.5 yards per carry against the Atlanta Falcons in the Wild Card Round. In the Divisional Round of the playoffs, James rushed for 57 yards and a touchdown in the Cardinals' upset victory over the heavily favored Carolina Panthers.
James rushed for 73 yards in the Cardinals' 32–25 win over the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship. James rushed 9 times for 33 yards in the Cardinals' 27–23 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII. His long-time girlfriend, the mother of his children, died of leukemia in April 2009. Despite this tragedy, James played the 2009 season with the Cardinals.
Reader's Guide
Edgerrin James was inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame on April 23, 2009. He ranks third in all-time University of Miami rushing yards. He was the only running back in school history to post two consecutive seasons with 1,000-plus rushing yards, and he ranks first in school history with the most 100-plus rushing games (14). All single season records held by James have since been broken by former Baltimore Ravens running back Willis McGahee. James left Indianapolis as its all-time leading rusher with 9,226 yards. After James's departure in March 2006, the Colts won Super Bowl XLI the following season. Although he was not on the team at the time, Colts owner Jim Irsay still sent him a Super Bowl ring. On September 23, 2012, James was inducted into the Indianapolis Colts Ring of Honor during the week 3 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Did You Know?
- James was the last NFL player to win the rushing title in his rookie season before Ezekiel Elliott.
- James's long-time girlfriend Andia Wilson died of leukemia in April 2009.
- James is reported to be related to LA Chargers safety Derwin James, though the exact relationship is unclear.
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